Tube-dwelling anemone, tube anemone • Pachycerianthus fimbriatus

The tube-dwelling anemone's two sets of tentacles are visible at this angle looking straight down. Photo by Mike Munroe

IdentificationThe tube-dwelling anemone has an outer set of of long, delicate tentacles encircling a shorter inner set that hides the mouth. Tentacles vary in colour from light to purplish-black, and may be banded. The rest of the anemone is hidden from view, in a mostly buried black leathery tube made from material secreted by the anemone. The tube can be up to a meter in length and 2.5 cm in diameter; the animal gets to 35 cm long with a tentacle diameter of 20 cm.

Habitat & RangeThe tube-dwelling anemone can be found in soft, level substrates in the subtidal (to 30 m deep) and occasionally the intertidal. Individuals may form extensive flower-like fields. Its range extends from southern Alaska to southern California.

IntriguingThis anemone is preyed up on by the giant nudibranch (Dendronotus iris) ; the nudibranch may also attach its egg masses to the anemone's tube. The anemone is capable of retracting into the its when disturbed or under attack.